Biology

Biology

Blanford's foxes are strictly monogamous, with territories that marginally overlap those of adjacent pairs (3). However, pairs hunt and forage individually, and spend most of their time independent of one another (7). The diet is omnivorous, consisting of insects, small mammals and fruit, but reportedly more frugivorous than that of other foxes (5). The species has been observed eating domestic crops and seems to prefer melons, grapes, and Russian chives in some areas (5). Blanford's foxes typically mate from December to January (5), but breeding in captivity has been observed as late as April. After a gestation period of 50 to 60 days, the female gives birth to a litter of one to three pups (3). The young are fed exclusively on milk until they are weaned after 30 to 45 days, after which they accompany their parents on foraging trips (3) (5). At four months old young start foraging alone in the territory (3), and by 8 to 12 months they are sexually mature (5). The average lifespan is four to five years in the wild, and has not been known to exceed ten (5).